42 INHERITANCE OF SOME CHARACTERS IN WHEAT. 



4. The black colour of the awns prevailed iu the cross 

 Punjab Type 9 x Mozaffarnagar white and segregation in the F, 

 of three black to one white awned plant was obtained. 



5. On crossing a constant soft wheat with a translucent one., 

 distinct segregation into soft, intermediate and translucent wheats 

 was obtained in the Mendelian ratio of 1 : 2 : 1. This segregation 

 was independent of the nitrogen percentage. 



0. In the shattering of the ear two factors appear to be 

 involved and distinct segregation with intensification was observed 

 in the F 2 . 



7. Segregation was also observed in a cross between a weak 

 strawed well rooted wheat and a strong strawed wheat with inferior 

 rooting capacity. All possible combinations were found, and the 

 prospect of obtaining a well rooted strong strawed wheat in the 

 future seems favourable. 



8. In none of the crosses was there any indication of domin- 

 ance in the first generation, which in all cases proved to be inter- 

 mediate. 



From the general standpoint of the improvement of crops the 

 more modern investigations on hybridization are not without 

 interest. In concluding this account an attempt will be made to indi- 

 cate the bearing of these investigations on the wider aspects of plant 

 breeding work conducted with the object of obtaining better staples 

 than those now cultivated. At the present time in many countries 

 there is a considerable amount of state-aided effort devoted to the 

 advancement of agriculture, and one of the chief activities of the 

 various Agricultural Departments is concerned with plant breeding 

 and selection. 



1. The Preservation of Pure Lines. 



The most modern investigations on hybridization confirm the 

 necessity of starting all plant breeding work from pure lines, the 



